Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears took advantage of a trio of big innings on Tuesday, outscoring the Alcorn State Lady Braves by a combined score of 23-5 in a doubleheader sweep at Farris Field.

After Alcorn (1-16) used a leadoff double and a single to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, Central Arkansas (12-9) stormed back in the bottom of the second, sending 14 batters to the plate and using eight hits and a pair of walks to take a 9-1 lead. An RBI single from right fielder Morgan Felts put the Bears on the board, before centerfield Reagan Sperling, shortstop Kate Myers, first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd, and third baseman Cylla Hill all drove in runs.

The Lady Braves responded with a run in the third and two in the fourth to cut the UCA lead to 9-4, but an RBI groundout from pinch hitter Payton Salmon would get the Bears back on the board, pushing the UCA lead to 10-4 in the sixth inning.

The day's second game saw the Lady Braves again take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, but the Bears again responded, this time with five runs in the bottom of the inning.
Felts opened things up by scoring on a passed ball, before second baseman Libby Morris put UCA in front with a two-run single and pitcher Kailla Searcy chipped in with a two-run single of her own. Morris and designated player Brianna McArthur each drove in a run to extend the lead to 7-1 in the bottom of the second, before Central Arkansas again struck for five runs in the third.

A sacrifice fly from Felts opened the gates, and the Bears again took advantage of an Alcorn miscue, with centerfielder Kayla Crutchmer scoring from third on a wild pitch. After Myers and pinch hitter Rachel Haberman each drew walk, Morris continued to roll, launching a three-run home run to left-center field to drive in both and put UCA up 12-1.

Salmon again capped the scoring for the Bears, legging out an infield single to score fellow pinch hitter Erin Acors to put the Bears up 13-1.

Freshman Rio Sanchez (6-2) earned the win on the front end of the doubleheader, allowing four runs on seven hits and a pair of walks while striking out three in her third complete game of the season, and Searcy (2-4) got the victory in the day's second game, limiting the Lady Braves to a single run on four hits and a walk while striking out six to earn her first complete game of the season.

Morris continued her recent hot streak at the plate, going 4-for-7 with a double, a home run, and six RBI on the day, and Myers added three RBI. McArthur matched Morris with a 4-for-5 day, while Searcy, Crutchmer, and Felts each picked up a pair of hits.

Central Arkansas closes out its six-game home stand tomorrow evening, hosting #25 Oklahoma State. First pitch is set for 5:00 PM.